We have discovered the best toys are not toys at all. In our experience, they should be everyday items or activities that could cause injury.
For example, flying very high overhead.

Or, what better incentive to roll over than hot coffee?

And, if it explicitly says 'xxx is not a toy', then it most certainly is. We now believe the warnings on plastic bags about them not being toys is just the toy manufacturing companies trying to make sure M doesn't have fun!

Despite continued bad parenting, M remains a very happy boy (unless you try to leave him with the nice babysitters at the pool). Smile gallery:


Here is Kyle at five months.

and again

and now M.

M seemed very interested in dad's yogurt. So, we gave him some. It was plain yogurt.

Maybe a little too tart? M asked for a bit more...

Fool me once...

It seems that most of the food ends up on the bib, but given this cellulite covered little bum...it appears some of it is going in!

Posted by: Becca

After a disappointing weigh in at the doctor's office we started a new and improved bulk-up program. M is now eating a lot more each day plus rice cereal. Day 1 the spoon and cereal were met with suspicion.

Day 2 he decided he could feed himself better than we can.


Day 3 the high chair arrived and all the pieces fell into place.


Clean plate club!

Or maybe, M just loves to shove things in his mouth. Rice cereal, giraffes, noses, hands...

Hopefully M is as happy with his new throne as we are. It will turn into a desk chair when he's done using it as a high chair!

Now a few other things:
We were not aware, but a cheek pinch done properly requires both cheeks to be pinched. So, righting that wrong.

Garden gnome!

The snow bear and dad after yet another great ski day.

Food pictures!
We went to lunch at Spork.
Lomo Saltado - Peruvian stir fry - steak, red potatoes, sweet peppers, grilled tomato, soy, crema, radish, egg, and jasmine rice.

Spicy pork noodle bowl.

And now the smile gallery:

Posted by: Becca
M is 5 months!

He probably looks sad because despite hitting this milestone, he still can't roll over...even after intensive daily roll over training.


What do we say about this 'shortcoming'? Who cares!


M will roll over when he is good and ready. In the meantime, he is focusing his energies on flying





and giving kisses (this process involves grabbing as much of mom or dad's face as possible and rubbing a slobbery mouth all over it while growling and pinching (hard!)).

We are sure we left the hospital with the right baby, but we don't see much resemblance. Do you think he looks like dad

or mom?

And finally - Grandma Marie - this cheek pinch is for you!

Posted by: Becca and Kyle
Theme this week - smiling.
Smiling while rough housing with mom:


Smiling while helping mom and dad cook:



Smiling while rough housing with dad:

Smiling while being tickled:

Saturday breakfast at Becca's favorite restaurant, Kyle's Kitchen.
Coffee (in the world's greatest coffee maker):

Purple sweet potato hash, posole, fried egg, avocado, bacon:

Growth check. Age 0:

Age 4.83 months:

New folding tuning bench:

Posted by: Becca and Kyle
No cohesive theme for this week’s post (drool, perhaps)...but lots to share. The food pics are at the end to force you to look at the whole thing!

First some random photos:
Sitting up. (Sort of.)

My mom dresses me funny and knows it and laughs about it.


New Year’s Eve MJD style.
Our entire New Year’s Eve dinner was made using Uncle Martin’s recipes. And one of our guests was dressed in his new outfit from GUM (Great Uncle Martin)
MJD posole

MJD margaritas

MJD styling new hoodie and socks


Smile gallery:




Mini-vacation to the Oregon Coast.



Going to the beach.





The dinner conversation was sparkling, but got a little loud.

Tuna ‘mignon’: Bacon wrapped albacore grilled medium-rare, fizzled onions, pan seared vegetables.

Special - tuna and mushrooms over udon noodles in a spicy cream sauce.

Was the trip a success, Lil E?